SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM THE MEDICINAL PLANT BAUHINIA ACUMINATA AND BIOPHYTUM SENSITIVUM–A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ITS BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES WITH PLANT EXTRACT

Objective: The aim of current study was to synthesise silver nanoparticles from the leaf extracts (aqueous and methanol) of two medicinal plants Bauhinia acuminata and Biophytum sensitivum and to compare its biological activities with that of plant extract.Methods: Silver nanoparticles were synthesised, and it was characterised using UV-Visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and GC-MS analysis were done for silver nanoparticle extract. The biological activities such as DPPH scavenging assay, haemolytic assay and antimicrobial assay were done for both nanoparticle and plant extract.Results: The UV-Visible spectroscopy showed the formation of nanoparticles in a size range of 400-460 nm. GC-MS analysis showed the presence of biologically active compounds like DL-alpha-tocopherol and Alpha-tocopherol-beta-D-mannose. FTIR analysis of silver nanoparticles and leaf extracts showed the formation of aldehydes, alkenes, amines, alcohols, etc., which confirmed the presence of the compounds present in plant extracts. SEM image showed the formation of nanoparticles of size 2 micrometre. Phytochemical analysis of plant extracts showed the presence of carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids. The methanol extract of Bauhinia acuminata showed high DPPH scavenging activity of 90% compared to that of the silver nanoparticle. The percentage hemolysis of all extracts was found to be 6%-39%. The antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts showed excellent activity towards Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogens.Conclusion: The results of present study showed that the silver nanoparticle synthesised from the plant extract has many bioactive compounds and it was found to have significant biological activities but comparatively lesser than plant extract. It concludes the both plant and nanoparticle extract can be used as a potential resource for therapeutic purpose